Round-Bottom Mud Pan With Grip

ABSTRACT

The upper pan portion would be made of steel (preferably stainless) and made of a single piece for the sides and round bottom with caps welded or otherwise attached to form a pan (see enclosed drawings). This eliminates corners on the bottom of the mud pan to facilitate mixing joint compound with a drywall knife. This upper portion is attached to the grip. The grip can be attached mechanically (with screws attaching to tangs on the pan or end caps of the pan) or with adhesive or other means. The shape of the grip allows the user a secure grip on the pan and insulation against a cold (or hot) pan and its contents. The grip can be made of molded or extruded plastic elastomer or other material for improved thermal insulation and frictional grip. A preferred embodiment of the grip has an elevated grip to allow the mud pan to easily be picked up with one hand. Both the elevated and low profile grip designs (see enclosed drawings) allow the mud pans to be stacked for shipping and store display and both grip designs can straddle surfaces such as ladder rungs with good stability.

Typical mud pans are made in steel or plastic and are used for holding joint compound for application to drywall joints with the use of a taping or finishing knife.

These mud pans are normally tapered toward the grip with a flat bottom (shaped somewhat like a gold ingot). Joint compound normally needs to be mixed or thinned with water to be properly applied to cover various joints. This mixing is occasionally done in the mud pan, and the corners in the bottom of the mud pan often hinder mixing by trapping joint compound. Often a messy process, the mud pan can become wet and slippery and easily slide out of the user's hand since no special gripping area is provided. The straight edges on the mud pan are necessary for scraping against the taping or finishing knife for controlling joint compound quantity and shape can become permanently deformed if pan is dropped-therefore ruining the mud pan. Further problems relate to thermal conductivity of steel pans on cold days. In cold weather, the cold joint compound absorbs heat from the users hand causing discomfort and loss of dexterity. 

1. A round-bottom mud pan with grip that eliminates corners by providing a continuous curve on the bottom of the mud pan to form a round bottom.
 2. A claim as claimed in claim 1 that provides gripping surfaces for the user to comfortably and effectively grip the mud pan. 